Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Friday, January 11, 2008

GARY LEROY TARVER

Riser Funeral Home
Columbia, LA

Services for Gary Leroy Tarver, age 53 of Monroe, LA will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, January 12, 2008, from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Brian Thurman and Pastor Steve Wilkins officiating. Interment will follow at the Columbia Hill Cemetery.

Gary Tarver was born October 3, 1954 in Columbia and passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2008 in West Monroe.

Mr. Tarver was a member of the Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe. He was an avid lover of music and held a Master's degree in Music and Composition and a Master's degree in Performance and was currently working toward receiving his doctorate in music. He was a former member of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra playing the viola and was a member of the 12th LA String Band. He previously held an array of positions in the church community.He was the minister of music with Green Acres Baptist Church in Bastrop, pastor of First Baptist Church of St. Claire Shores in Michigan, associate pastor and minister of music with Amite Baptist Church in Amite, LA, interim minister of music with First Baptist Church of Monroe on St. John St., minister of music with Lighthouse Baptist Church in Monroe, and had taught Theory and Composition at Northeast Louisiana University, now known as ULM. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Mr. Tarver was preceded in death by his father, Adolph Tarver, his grandmothers, Durelle Gary and Eunice Tarver, and his uncle, San Juan Tarver.

Survivors include his mother and step father, Shirley and Paul J. Thurman of Monroe, his sons; Charles Tarver of Pensacola, FL and Eric Tarver of Columbia, his daughter, Alyce Tarver of Weir, MS, his step brothers, Paul A. Thurman of Baltimore, MD and Rev. Brian Thurman and his wife, Jennifer of Pitkin, LA, his sister, Peggy Kelly and her husband, Al of Monroe, his granddaughter, Sarah Tarver, his nephews, DeWayne Warner of Monroe and Seth Thurman of Pitkin, his niece, Brandy Warden and her husband, Brad of West Monroe and special friend, Gracie Fisher.

Pallbearers will be Al Kelly, Brad Warden, DeWayne Warner, Kenneth Tarver, Ronnie Sanders and Charles Johnston.

Memorials may be made to the Geneva Academy or KDEM public radio.

Visitation will be Friday, January 11, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.